Jethro Tull - Aqualung Live (RandM) By Steve Rudd

Over thirty years on from the release of Jethro Tull's classic Aqualung album, Aqualung Live is an amazing album in its own right, that captures a live performance of all the songs that featured on the original masterpiece. Only legendary band front man, Ian Anderson and ace guitarist Martin Barre remain from the original band line-up, but the other three newer band members who flesh out the 'Tull sound do an incredible job in bringing the magical songs to life.

Before hearing this album I'd only heard the odd Tull song here and there, so this album proved to be a perfect introduction to the sound of Tull in their prime. Aqualung was conceived way back when the swinging sixties swung over into the seventies, having been unleashed in 1971 to widespread critical and commercial acclaim - going on to become Jethro Tull's best-selling record.

Every song is extraordinary, with the opening epic in Aqualung itself majestically unfolding in mesmerising stages, with Martin's electric guitar riffage giving way to Ian's more subdued but charming acoustic guitar, before newer band member Andrew Giddings sweeps in on the piano to deliver a bewitchingly engaging melody in due course. Crosseyed Mary is another favourite tune from the album for many fans, and the way in which Ian's flute-playing energetically spars with Barre's guitar playing has to be heard to be believed.

In some circles, bands of Jethro Tull's calibre are deemed laughing stocks for the way in which they sometimes take Prog-Rock music too far. But these eleven songs always stay on the right side of being exciting, dynamic and never ever boring.

Sure, this type of music is to a large extent an acquired taste of Prog-Rock eccentricity, smattered with whimsical Folk influences aplenty, but there are melodies so catchy that some of today's best pop bands wouldn't feel ashamed to borrow some of Tull's unforgettable tunes. Martin Barre's loud and hard electric guitar riffs mixed with the piano melodies and some of Ian's unique vocal performances somehow are imbued with the style and spirit of the early music of David Bowie.

The sublime acoustic format of songs such as Cheap Day Return, Mother Goose and Wond'ring Aloud (which are presented back-to-back) sound remarkably fresh even today, while the sublime musicianship that dominates Hymn 43 proves once and for all that Ian Anderson truly is an awesome flute player. Still, the eight-minute-long My God masterpiece has to be one of the album highlights, both on this live release and on the original recording. This all precedes the comparatively downbeat, but no less compelling, album-closing song in the piano-led Wind Up' that winds down this stunning release with a rare degree of grace.

This live album was recorded in Washington before a specially invited audience, with all royalties from sales of this release being ploughed into homeless charities. As well as the eleven astonishing music tracks, there are also excerpts of interviews with Ian and Martin, which are both amusing and fascinating to hear.

All in all, Aqualung Live proves once and for all that Ian Anderson and friends have more than made their mark on contemporary music, with this release being a must for hardcore fans and first-time-listeners alike. 8/10

Music News - The Sesh Column - DJ Mak's Festive Rant
	Time to reflect. 2005 has to go down as a great year in my book. I've thoroughly enjoyed my work at various events across the city. Everyone has seemed up for it. Positivity has reigned supreme. Talent has emerged from all quarters. The creative folk of the city have been stimulated and encouraged, and the good people of Hull have got together and finally made things Read more...

Single Reviews - Coldplay - Talk (Parlophone) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	First there was Speed Of Sound. Then these guys returned to literally haunt us and to Fix You. Now all Coldplay wanna do is Talk. And if they want to talk, the masses will sure as hell listen. This is the third single to have thus far been swiped from their stupendously successful X & Y album, and - as always - it is an anthem dominated by both frontman Chris Martin Read more...

Album Reviews - The Raindogs - The Adventures Of The Raindogs (Three Track Demo) By Steve Rudd
	Hull-based quartet The Raindogs are understandably turning ears in their direction with their uniquely spirited brand of indie-fied rock 'n' roll, that magically manages to be damn catchy come the choruses of all these three songs. Stop Smiling is up first, and straight away band front man Martin Clappison stuns the senses with his extraordinary voice: a voice that is Read more...

Single Reviews - Silversun - Immediate (Invisible Hands) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	God, no! The 'Sun front man in James Broad was recently injured whilst making the accompanying video to Immediate... or so it has been alleged, when Mr. Broad thought that he was James Bond for a while and went hell for leather to emulate some of the secret agent's stunning stunts for the aforementioned video. Long story short, he injured himself. Details are Read more...

Single Reviews - Patrolman Pete - Ready To Roll (MX3) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	Bob the Builder has effectively already been here and done this, but this twee novelty single release still has its wide-eyed and wholly innocent charms, and - at the time of writing - seems destined to scale the charts in leaps and bounds, with the odds on it being 2005's Christmas Number One literally increasing day by day. The AA-affiliated, two and a half minute song Read more...

Single Reviews - Athlete - Twenty Four Hours (Parlophone) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	Ever since these four guys released their Vehicles And Animals album, they've been an exciting band to watch, but since the release of their more recent Tourist long-player, this quartet has rightfully became very well known indeed. This stunning single release follows on from their hugely popular Wires and Half Light singles, with this mid-paced anthem in Read more...

Album Reviews - The Peasants - Champagne Lifestyle On A Lemonade Budget (Our True Records) By Steve Rudd
	Whatever you do, don't you dare judge this CD by its cover, that shows the two young guys who make up this musically gifted duo - Jody McKenna and Dave Saxby. They both look like mean-spirited rockers, and both were brought up on the biggest council estate in Britain - Hull's Bransholme estate. Yet, the style of music that these two make together is in fact sweet harmony. Read more...

Album Reviews - Paparazzi Whore - I'd Rather Be Infamous Than Famous (DV8 Productions) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	There aren't many bands around that allow their sound to be dominated by a bass-driven whirlwind of noise. Paparazzi Whore are something of a unique band, in that there is no lead guitar melody in the mix, but just bass guitar and rhythm guitar... both played by Chris Oaten, who is one of the four talented band members. Fronted by the feisty Micci Oaten (who also plays Read more...

Album Reviews - Four Square - Industry At Home (Bad Taste) By Steve Rudd
	A truly magnificent album from start to finish, first impressions don't last as the beautifully chilled-out 'Intro' (that combines piano, vocals and a lilting string arrangement to subtly rousing effect) couldn't be any more different from the brand of rock that swiftly follows with a bang. Ah yes. Please Don't Go immediately hears the band Read more...

Single Reviews - The Waking Eyes - Watch Your Money (Coalition) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	Wise words indeed from this thrilling Canadian band; a band that has bust out of Winnipeg with one hell of a mission - and that mission is to rock hard! And loud!! A ball-breaking rock 'n' roll riff dominates this smile-inducing anthem, as this quartet indulges in a similar upbeat exuberance to bands like The Black Velvets and Jet, lightly stained by the wicked fun of The Hives. Watch Your Money might Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - March - Turn (Fortunate Son Records) Reviewed By Nick Quantrill
	Out of print until now, this low-profile side project from Jeff Caudill and Michael Baines was originally released in 1995. Conceived as a temporary respite for Caudill from the pop-punk of his band Gameface, this record allowed him to create a roots record that signposted the way forward for his future endeavours. Following the eventual demise of Gameface in 2003 Read more...

Album Reviews - Torso Horse - The Creation Part 1 (DVD) By Steve Rudd
	With four classic Goth-Metal music videos at this DVD release's core, The Creation features the full-blooded intensity of the Torso Horse swan-songs in In Your Head, Dragging Me Down, The Angel You'll Never Be and Let It Out - the latter video having been shot in an exhilarating live setting, showing off the extent to which 'Horse fans get riled up at their hot Read more...

Music, Band Biog - Introducing The Straightmen
	The Straightmen are a gathering of four good musicians who make a very nice sound and everyone seems to enjoy their music. The band consists of Nick on guitar and vocals, Raz on bass, Vinnie on keyboard and Mark on drums. All have been on the scene for a while, but know that what they have now is different and exciting. The Straightmen have been described as many Read more...

Music, Band News - Unless; The Story So Far By Michelle Dee
	If you have been listening to some of the John Peel tribute programming you may have heard this band from Grimsby being played a number of times. He was quietly making positive noises about them before he sadly passed away. They are a punk-rock four piece that have been together for a number of years and are in the process of recording their third Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - Little Brother - The Minstrel Show By www.emcee-battle.com
	Every so often, an album comes along that makes you step back and take a deep breath ... that makes you marvel at just how amazing the piece of work is. This is one of them! The Minstrel Show combines everything you can possibly look for in an album and then sprinkles it all with an extra little bit of ill. They put it best themselves, with the 100% true bar Read more...

Single Reviews - Stephen Fretwell - New York (Fiction) by Steve Rudd
	Fresh from sets at a multitude of summer festivals including Glastonbury and V2005, Stephen Fretwell is all set to hit the charts again with his stunning latest single, New York. Fans of previous releases such as Emily won't be disappointed, as the short-but-sweet excellence of New York immediately entrances the innocent listener, being as it is Read more...

Music News - Opportunity For The Best Hull Bands
	Influential Recordings will be releasing a 12 track album featuring Hull's best bands. The CD will be distributed nationally and will have national press reviews - The Guardian, NME, The Times etc. If your band is interested in having one of your songs on the CD please make sure that: 1. The track is recorded to professional level. 2. The Song must have not been released on any Read more...